Jet engines could bring money, jobs to Collier

We are smack in the middle of hurricane season. So we wanted to know what brings power to millions of people once a storm passes. The surprising answer could bring both money and jobs to Collier.

Once used to power jets, Turbo Services President Tom Stout says a turbine is now used to power millions of homes.

"When you get home at night at four o'clock and you turn your AC on, there's a big demand for power so they fire these up," he explained.

Power companies are firing up these old jet engines and using them for electricity - especially if a storm hits.

"It's very common in the power plant industry. A lot of people just don't realize it," Stout said.

Thursday, he explained a 6,000-pound jet engine is so powerful, it could provide power for up to 7,000 homes.

And Immokalee residents will soon realize the power these jet engines are packing.

Turbo Services just opened a new location at the airport in Immokalee and we had the opportunity to witness the first test at the new facility.

"Now this is the place that's also going to be noted not only a place for vegetables, a place where Arthrex is a neighbor - it's also going to mean that this is the place you can get your jet engine tested," said Collier County Commissioner Jim Coletta.

And that testing is expected to bring in big bucks for the airport and the area.

"If they test two jet engines a month with $6,000 of jet fuel, that's about $6,000 in revenue generated for the airport," said Chris Curry, of the Immokalee Airport.

He says he hope the new facility will expand and bring more jobs and more people to the small town of Immokalee.